Shimla: Extending the market intervention scheme (MIS) for citrus fruits, the Himachal cabinet today approved procurement rates for the fruit, redrew the norms for upgrading schools and approved a single authority for approving building plans.
Presided over by chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal the cabinet announced the procurement rate of Rs 4.15 to Rs 5.85 per Kg for various kinds of citrus fruit to be bought under MIS and asked government agencies to open up 53 collection centres for buying the fruit.
Deciding to provide free transport facilities for students travelling a distance of 8 Km to their education institutions, the cabinet prescribed a minimum enrolment norm for upgrading secondary schools to senior secondary institutions.
Rationalizing the process for permitting construction of houses in the state capital, the cabinet decided to constitute a single umbrella committee for approving construction maps in various restricted areas of the city.
It approved an amendment to The Himachal Pradesh Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2010 and a 2nd Amendment in the Himachal Pradesh Tax on Entry of Goods into Local Area Act, 2010.
For holding direct elections to the posts of presidents and vice-presidents of municipalities, the cabinet gave its nod to an amendment in the Himachal Pradesh Municipalities Act, 2010.
The cabinet also approved an amendment in the Himachal Pradesh Panchayati Raj Act, 2010 and Section 35-A of the Himachal Pradesh University Act.
Approval was granted to information technology department to enter into agreements with providers of IT enabled common service centres ‘Lok Mitra Kendra’ for providing various facilities to the public.
The cabinet approved changes in Regulation in Shimla for according Planning Permission and Change in Land Use by approving to reduce minimum plot size from 250 sq. meters to 200 sq.
It approved leasing of 80.53 hectares of government land in favour of Baba Balak Nath Temple Trust for 99 years on a token lease amount of Re. 1.00 for constructing Gau Sadan (Cow shelter) for housing stray animals.
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As Editor, Ravinder Makhaik leads a team of media professionals at Hill Post.
Spanning a career of over two decades in mass communication, as a Documentary Filmmaker, TV journalist, Print Media journalist and with Online & Social Media, he brings with him a vast experience. He lives in Shimla.